In-Tune Multi-Instrument Tuner(tm)
Copyright (C) 2001-2002 Joseph Heimiller

by Aspire Software
www.MusicMasterWorks.com

 

Special Instructions for Electric Guitar: Your electric guitar output can be plugged into your microphone jack on your computer. You will probably need a to-mini-stereo adapter plug to do this. This method is better than playing into your PC microphone because it eliminates unwanted background noise. Turn the volume on your guitar all the way up.

Tuning Instructions:

  1. Make sure your PC microphone is plugged into the back of your computer (usually next to where the speakers are plugged in). If it has an on/off switch, turn it on. The microphone port is selected by default, if you are using another input you can select it on the 'Source' menu.
  2. Select the instrument type that you play in the top left selection box.
  3. Select (using the left mouse button) the string you would like to tune in the left-hand fingerboard display.
  4. Strum or play that string on your instrument close to your PC microphone. Make sure the volume level indicator is high into the green range (and not into the red range).
  5. If the graph is lower than the note line, your string is flat, and if higher, sharp (On the gauge view, to the left is flat). Adjust the peg until it is right on the note line.

You can keep in perfect tune by using our easy online ordering form.

To change the selected tuning pitch: Using the mouse, either select a string in the instrument display or select a key in the piano reference (graph view only).
To change the note range: click on the up and down buttons next to the range edit box or change the number directly by typing over it.
To change the instrument selected: click on the instrument combobox drop-down button and then select a different instrument.
To change the view selected: choose the gauge or graphing view in the drop-down list.

Options menu:

Source menu: This is where you can select the audio input device. If there is a microphone device in the system it is selected by default.

 

Tips for better tuning:

- Make sure you get the microphone input volume loud enough. In the yellow zone is too low, in the green zone is good (the louder the better), and the red zone indicates that the volume is too high. If you're in the yellow zone, try moving the microphone closer to your instrument (and make sure the microphone is selected as the default Windows recording device and the input volume is turned all the way up - see troubleshooting for instructions on how to do this).

- Try to keep the microphone stationary to avoid unwanted noise.

- You may also want to check that a string matches the next string, by using a fret. On a guitar, the 5th fret matches the next string up except for the G string - it's 4th fret matches the B string. Do not bend the string to the side when you do this because it will cause an increase in pitch.

- If tuning your voice, avoid singing directly into the microphone. The force of your breath on the microphone may cause noise. This is why many recording studios use nylon screens (called 'pop filters') in front of microphones - this also keeps the performer at a good distance from the microphone for better sound quality and even volume levels. Without this filter, it is better to sing at a direction slightly above or below the microphone.

 

Accuracy: In-Tune is 99.999% accurate (to the next half-step) on the guitar A string. Higher pitches lessens the accuracy slightly; it is 99.963% accurate on the violin's highest string. These accuracy percentages are from testing with a perfect sin wave, and represent the best case scenerio.

In-Tune uses the equal temperament system of tuning. This makes all keys sound equally good. If you want to tune to a particular key or intonation, use the average frequency display as a guide.

Troubleshooting:

- If the volume indicator at the far right looks dead or is too low: First, make sure you have the correct audio input selected on the 'Source' menu. Then, make sure your microphone is securely plugged into your computer. If your microphone has an on/off switch, turn it on. Also, check the ‘Volume Control’ settings of the microphone. Double-click on the volume icon in the Windows taskbar. In the popup screen, select ‘Options’-‘Properties’ from the menu. Select ‘Recording’ and hit OK. If you've selected 'Default Windows Input' on the In-Tune 'Source' menu this is where you select the recording device. Make sure the volume on the microphone is up. Also, if you have a non-powered microphone, you’ll need to turn up the volume even more. If you are using an electric guitar, turn the volume up on that, too.

- If you do not hear the string play when you click on the fingerboard: The string is played out the default MIDI device. To check your default MIDI device, go into the Windows Control Panel and double-click on the MultiMedia icon. Click on the MIDI tab. The output device selected is the default. Try different devices. Also check that the MIDI volume is up and not muted in the Windows volume control (double-click on volume icon in Windows taskbar).

- If you try out a pitch pipe and it doesn't quite detect the exact right pitch: Blow hard! No, I'm not kidding. If you don't blow hard enough, you will get a slightly higher pitch. Also, pitch pipes are often an octave higher (twice the frequency) than the actual string.

- The note played when selecting a string isn't quite the right pitch: Since In-Tune uses the MIDI system to play notes, the actually pitch of the output depends on your sound card's MIDI synthesis. Some sound cards are more accurate than others.

If you are experiencing any problems or have any suggestions, please send them to support@musicmasterworks.com or call 1-303-233-6791.

 

Also Try:

Music MasterWorks - the award winning music editor and sequencer with voice to note conversion.

Note Attack - free music game. learn how to read music by blasting notes into submission.

 

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